The Waiau Trust have created an number of public access points along the Waiau River and greater catchment. These make it easier for you to get to the places you want to explore without having to trouble the landowner for permission. We do advocate contacting them as a matter of courtesy werever possible though.
These access ways are usually obvious but are marked with a Waiau Trust sign.
As with all situations where you are crossing private land, please respect the owner’s wishes. In general make sure you:
- Leave gates as you find them - if it is closed, shut it behind you; if open, leave it open.
- Do not alow your dog to wander; better kept in your car until you are at the destination.
- Think of others; keep it tidy.
For more information get in touch with the Waiau Trust.
List of access projects
Click a project location link to go to Google Map directions for the location.
Whare Creek
Location: Lower Waiau, Blackmount-Redcliff Road, 4.2km d/s Mararoa Weir
To where: Waiau River
Type: 1.5km gravel road to car park
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation
Dean Burn
Location: Lower Waiau, west side, 25km upstream of Tuatapere
To where: Dean Burn & Waiau River
Type: 0.5 km gravel road to car park
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation
Wairaki
Location: Lower Waiau, east side, 25km upstream of Tuatapere
To where: Waiau & Wairaki River
Type: 1km gravel road to car park
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation
Redcliff/Jericho
Location: Waiau, Blackmount Redcliff Road, 12.6 km downstream of Mararoa Weir
To where: Waiau River
Type: 1.62km gravel road to car park
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation
Princhester Creek
Location: SH 94, 28 km east of Te Anau
To where: Princhester Creek & Mararoa River
Type: 0.5km gravel road, then grassed walkway to river
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation
Rakatu
Location: Lower Waiau Blackmount -Redcliff Road, 8.8km downstream of Mararoa Weir
To where: Waiau River and Rakatu wetlands
Type: 1.4km gravel road to car park, 9 km walking tracks round wetlands and to the Waiau River
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation, Walking, Bird watching, Education
Home Creek
Location: Manapouri-Hillside Road, 1.5km from Manapouri
To where: Home Creek
Type: 0.8km gravel road, 1.6km circular walking track
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation, Walking, Education
Johnston Access
Location: Dale Road Off Kakapo Road, 16 km from Te Anau
To where: Upukerora River
Type: 1.2 km gravel road to car park
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation
Pump House Road
Location: Pump House road, off Lynwood Road, 14 km from Te Anau
To where: Whitestone River
Type: 0.4 km gravel road to car park
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation
Ramparts Wetland
Location: Ramparts Road, off Hillside -Manapouri Road, 11.5 km from Manapouri
To where: Wetland
Type: 0.2km gravel road to car park, freedom walking around wetland
Purposes: General recreation, Botanical interest
Mararoa-Whitestone
Location: Off Hillside-Manapouri Road, 13km from Manapouri and 17.8 km from Te Anau
To where: Whitestone River, Mararoa River and Flaxy Creek
Type: 0.75km gravel road to car park
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation
Sunnyside-Monowai
Location: Off Sunnyside Road, 5km from Monowai Village
To where: Lower Waiau River
Type: 0.32km gravel road to car park
Purposes: Anglers, General recreation
